4C - Back and Forth Between Worried/Not

lax2luv

Long story short - I found a lump on 11/24 and saw my OB/GYN on 11/30. He believed the lump was a large cyst and tried it drain it, but couldn’t. He had me wait two weeks for any possible bruising from the drainage attempt to dissolve so I could have imaging done. A mammogram and ultrasound were done on 12/14. A biopsy and surgery are now scheduled for 12/23 and 12/28. In the meantime, I’m driving myself crazy with this report and wondering if I should mentally prepare for bad news. I’m 37 and BiRads says 4C. Any insight?

Left breast: A 3.6 cm area of architectural distortion is present in the
approximately 12:00 position of the left breast corresponding to the palpable
abnormality at middle depth. Just posterior to this at 12:00 is an 18 mm area
of architectural distortion as well.
Left breast ultrasound: At 11:00, 6 cm from nipple ultrasound demonstrates a
large 3.2 x 2.6 x 2 cm irregular mixed echogenicity mass. This is not vascular.
This is suspicious for neoplasm.
12:00, 6 cm from nipple there is a separate 7 x 6.5 x 5.8 mm hypoechoic mass
with a hyperechoic rim which I believe corresponds to the smaller 18 mm focus
of architectural distortion at ultrasound. This is suspicious for neoplasm.
Interrogation of the left axilla reveals normal nodes.

Beesie

With a BI-RADs 4C, yes, you should prepare yourself for a breast cancer diagnosis. Approx. 95% of 4C biopsies do turn out to be breast cancer.

That said, I've been hanging around here a long time, and there are some benign conditions that can mimic breast cancer on imaging. So over the years I've seen quite a few situations where 4C biopsies have come back benign. It's best that you do prepare mentally for a diagnosis, but you can still continue to hope for the best, because a benign result is possible.

Good luck with the biopsy & surgery, and let us know how it goes and the results.

LivinLife

Welcome lax! You'll find lots of information and support on this site if indeed your path comes back positive... I hope it doesn't though this is a good place to spend time if it does. You have nearly a week's wait and that will be difficult. Do what you can to engage in enjoyable and relaxing things this next week even if you have anxiety too. Eat healthy and get enough sleep, as much as you are able. It helps with coping....

lax2luv

My biopsy came back as IFDC, grade 2, stage 2. I'm supposed to find out the results for estrogen, progesterone, HER2 and something else soon. They already had me do the spit test - I can't remember what that is for - and I'm going for body scans (I think that's what they called it) in about 6 hours. Currently can't sleep. What a whirlwind.

I had initially thought 12/28 was my surgery date, but it was a consultation where I found out my results by accident (they thought I already knew). The staff was very apologetic, but I’m actually thankful I didn’t find out at home - I don’t want that memory here.

moth

Hi lax2luv, sorry about the diagnosis. Truly sucks. Can you clarify the diagnosis? It should probably be IDC (=invasive ductal carcinoma). The spit test would be for genetic testing to look for things like BRCA genes. Good that you're getting scans. The beginning is a crazy stressful whirlwind but once you get a treatment plan, it gets better.

Also know that breast cancer is urgent but not an emergency. You can stop and take a breath, ask your drs to explain things thoroughly or get a 2nd opinion etc. Go at a pace you're comfortable with. Your body, your decisions.

Hang in there. Big hugs

lax2luv

Thank you. The surgeon I met with wrote “IFDC, infiltrative, ductal” on the piece of paper he gave me - I’m guessing this may be the same thing as IDC? I have no clue. My results are not in MyChart yet, so maybe I will have more clarification once I can see those.

Beesie

So sorry to hear aboiut your diagnosis.

Are you in the U.S. or Canada, or somewhere else? Some other countries use different abbreviations so that might explain the IFBC. IDC stands for either invasive ductal carcinoma or infiltrating ductal carcinoma - invasive and infiltrating are interchangeable - so yes, it sounds as though IFBC is the same thing.

The ER, PR and HER2 will be critical to the treatment recommendations. Hopefully those come through soon and then you can start to move forward. Do you have a surgery date? An idea yet if you are looking at a lumpectomy or mastectomy?

Hope the scans went well and are all clear!

LivinLife

Sorry your results were positive lax!!! I hope you're comfortable with the team you assemble - that's really important, starting with the surgeon. Yes, please check back in as you undergo other appointments and testing.... This indeed is a difficult time as you'll move through a lot of those things quickly while there is also the waiting in between and ultimately for surgery...

lax2luv

It is IDC. I’m triple positive with a 50% growth rate. My surgeon said I need chemotherapy and immunotherapy before he can do anything so I’m being referred to an oncologist and have an appointment to have a port placed on Thursday. I’ll move over to the other forums. Thank you to everyone who has responded here.

Beesie

Yes, with triple positive, or specifically with HER2+, chemo is often done prior to surgery. So it's good that you are set up for the port placement.

Not sure what "50% growth rate" refers to.

The "Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After" forum will have helpful information for you, as will the "HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer" forum.

Chemo forum: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69
HER2+ forum: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80

lax2luv

The Ki-67 was 50%. Thank you

LivinLife

Best to you lax! I may or may not be in forums you move to so just want to send well wishes and gentle hugs as you move from this forum....